Senior Executives Win With New Executive Order on SES Reform

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the Obama Administration issued an Executive Order (E.O.) aimed at strengthening and improving the Senior Executive Service (SES) by enhancing the recruitment, development and mobility of career senior executives. Following the release of early drafts, the Senior Executives Association (SEA) submitted feedback and numerous recommendations to improve the E.O., noting the draft presidential action, while promising in some respects, fell short in making the SES attractive enough to recruit and retain the highly qualified and motivated career executives needed in the federal government. SEA pointed out that the E.O. needed strengthening in the full spectrum of investments in senior executives to ensure that high achieving SES are adequately recognized and rewarded for their accomplishments and that new and current SES managers’ compensation be at least equal to or above their subordinates – thereby overcoming current pernicious pay compression that has allowed many GS-15s to earn more than their SES bosses.

The final order incorporated several key SEA recommendations, including:

• A fifty percent increase in aggregate agency spending caps for granting SES and Senior Professional (SL and ST employee) performance awards starting in FY 2017, with a pledge by the Administration to also review FY 2016 caps for possible increase• A directive to agencies to use all available means, monetary or otherwise, for recognizing and rewarding high performers• A directive to agencies to implement policies to ensure pay for both new and existing SES and Senior Professional executives exceeds that of their supervisee GS employees

Many items contained in the order are to be executed through phased implementation, which will carry from the current administration into the next.

“This is a step in the right direction,” said SEA Interim President Tim Dirks. “While we still have some concerns – most notably that the Administration has not yet addressed agency funding for the reform initiatives – we hope these issues will be addressed in the Administration’s budget request to Congress and/or E.O. implementing guidance. When designing new programs, it is imperative that we account for the needs and resources required for their success. The reforms contained in the E.O. hold the potential to improve the development and operation of the career senior executive and professional workforce to more effectively serve the American public. We look forward to working with this Administration and the next on implementing, assessing, and improving these initiatives.”

Additionally unveiled yesterday were the winners of the Presidential Rank Awards, with this year’s number of recipients significantly exceeding last year’s. SEA will honor the awardees this coming spring at its annual Rank Awards Banquet.

Dirks further commented, “As this new Executive Order seeks to strengthen the future career executive workforce, we are also pleased to see the Administration acknowledge and recognize so many current career SES and Senior Professional employees for their extraordinary achievements and innovations that support our nation. SEA looks forward to working with the Administration and agencies across the government to honor these truly exemplary individuals.”

The Senior Executives Association (SEA) is a professional association representing Senior Executive Service members and other career federal executives. Founded in 1980, SEA’s goals are: to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and productivity of the federal government; to advance the professionalism and advocate the interests of career federal executives; and to enhance public recognition of their contributions. The SEA Professional Development League (PDL) is a nonprofit educational organization committed to advancing the professionalism of career federal executives through the sponsorship of training, recognition, and research activities.###

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The Senior Executives Association provides resources and information for career Federal Senior Executives, Senior Professionals, and equivalents, both current and retired, all across the world. Join the professional association for career federal executives.

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Membership in the Senior Executives Association provides you with a host of benefits and access to numerous professional services, including: advocacy, free services and discounts, news and information, and professional development.

Current and former members of the Senior Executive Service and equivalent federal pay systems, including senior level (SL) and senior technical and professional (ST) executives and Boards of Contract Appeals judges.

GS-15s and 14s who have equivalent executive responsibilities; who are subject to the centralized control of their agency's Executive Resources Board; who have completed an agency executive development program/course; or who have attended the Federal Executive Institute.

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SEA membership dues distinguish between active (currently employed in the federal government) and retired executives (those who have left government service). Active dues are $299 annually or $12.50 per pay period when paid via payroll withholding (available in almost all Executive Branch agencies). Retiree dues are $103 annually. Lifetime memberships are available for $1,795 for active members and $945 for retired members.

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The Senior Executives Association is a nonprofit professional association that promotes ethical and dynamic public service by fostering an outstanding career executive corps, advocates the interests of career federal executives (both active and retired), and provides information and services to SEA members.

SEA is a founding member of the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund, the Public Employees Roundtable, and the Government Managers Coalition, and holds a seat on the National Council on Federal Labor Management Relations and the Employee Thrift Advisory Council.

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